Friday, May 9, 2025

KAMO by London Fat Duck @ Orchard Rendezvous Hotel - Experience the Best of Japanese-Chinese Cuisine

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Taking over the space once occupied by Akanoya Robatayaki & Bar, KAMO by London Fat Duck makes a bold entrance with a concept that artfully blends Japanese finesse with the depth of Chinese flavours. Crafted in collaboration with a Michelin-starred Japanese chef, the menu offers diners a refined yet hearty culinary experience that centres around duck, but stretches well beyond it.

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Crystal Prawn Dumpling with Clam Sauce 4.5/5

We began the meal with the Crystal Prawn Dumpling with Clam Sauce ($12 for 4 pieces), a dish that was as elegant in appearance as it was in flavour. Each dumpling was filled with sweet, crunchy tiger prawn, wrapped in a translucent crystal skin, and crowned with ebi sakura and ikura. The highlight was the robust clam sauce, rich with crustacean essence and fragrant with Chinese wine that enveloped the dumplings, delivering a savoury punch with every bite.

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Signature Braised Duck 4.5/5

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Braised Taupok, Braised Ajitama Egg, Braised Peanut 4/5

The centrepiece of our dinner was the Signature Braised Duck ($58 Half / $108 Full), a dish that surprises with its roots in Japanese technique but unmistakably evokes the soulful taste of Chinese-style braised duck. The team cleverly uses premium ingredients such as Rishiri konbu, aged tangerine peel, and Japanese soy sauce to create a deeply flavourful, aromatic braising liquid. The use of London Fat Duck, a fattier, more tender breed that elevates the texture and richness of the dish. To complete the platter, diners can add on classic braised companions like Taupok, Ajitama Egg, and Braised Peanuts ($2 each), soaking up the rich sauce beautifully. Two dipping sauces, green chilli coriander and fermented soybean vinegar, offer a refreshing contrast and added depth.

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Braised Elephant Fish Fin 5/5

A unique and sustainable alternative to shark fin soup, the Braised Elephant Fish Fin ($68) was a delightful discovery. Its gelatinous texture mimics the prized delicacy, but the addition of luscious crab roe and sweet crab meat truly brought the dish to life, resulting in a luxurious, umami-rich broth that was both comforting and indulgent.

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Stir Fry Golden Fungus 4.2/5

The Stir-Fried Golden Fungus ($28) introduced a pleasant crunch with its use of rare Yunnan golden fungus, known for both its delicate texture and medicinal value. Tossed with seasonal vegetables and finished in a savoury seaweed sauce, the dish offered both elegance and balance.


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Pan Roasted Tiger Prawn 4.2/5

Next came the Pan-Roasted Tiger Prawn ($28 per piece), presented with a creative twist. The prawn was plump and meaty, paired with juicy shimeji mushrooms, and served on a shell filled with XO rice enriched by ebi butter and prawn roe. The result was a rich, umami-packed combination that was both satisfying and indulgent.

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Black Cod 4.5/5

Another standout was the Black Cod ($22 per pax), available steamed or deep-fried. We opted for the latter, and it didn’t disappoint. The skin was shatteringly crisp while the flesh remained buttery soft. The fermented black bean sauce added a bold, savoury layer that perfectly complemented the sweetness of the cod.

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Wagyu Claypot Noodles 4.2/5

The Wagyu Claypot Noodles ($38) are a luxury delight. The Shanghai noodles in Fujian sauce are paired with succulent A5 Omi Gyu. The slurping goodness tastes like Malaysia Tai Lok Mee, with a delightful chewy texture.

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Orh Nee 4/5

Dessert was a modern rendition of the Teochew classic, Orh Nee ($14 per pax). The velvety yam purée was paired with a scoop of coconut ice cream and drizzled with Okinawa brown sugar, offering a perfect balance of richness and sweetness. A crispy black sesame pastry added crunch and contrast, rounding the meal with textural satisfaction.

KAMO by London Fat Duck is a confident and refreshing concept that pays homage to both Chinese and Japanese culinary traditions. The duck dishes are undoubtedly the stars, but the supporting cast from crystal dumplings to XO rice and claypot noodles adds dimension and flair. Whether you're a fan of bold Chinese flavours or refined Japanese technique, KAMO delivers a compelling fusion worth returning to.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


KAMO by London Fat Duck
Orchard Rendezvous Hotel
1 Tanglin Road
#01-01A
Singapore 247905
Tel: +65 9695 4124
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Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Walk down Orchard Road to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Maison Boulud @ Marina Bay Sands - New Executive Set Lunch Featuring Classic and Rustic French Dishes

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Maison Boulud at Marina Bay Sands has recently refreshed its menu to pay greater homage to Chef Daniel Boulud's culinary philosophy. Diners can now experience more classic and rustic French dishes, prepared with seasonal ingredients. Alongside this, a new Executive Set Lunch Menu changes every few weeks.

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Beets & Burrata 4.5/5

We started with two excellent appetisers — Beets & Burrata and Pâté en Croûte. The Beets & Burrata combined a milky, pillowy burrata with earthy, tart beets, sprinkled with toasted hazelnuts that added a delightful textural crunch and nutty flavour. The pairing with haricots verts was particularly interesting, echoing the freshness of the dish with crisp, snappy textures.

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Pâté en Croûte 4.5/5

The Pâté en Croûte was delectable, featuring a blend of Iberico pork, foie gras Armagnac, apricot, and pistachio. I especially enjoyed the defined chunk of foie gras Armagnac embedded within the pâté — it boosted the mouthfeel with a creamy richness and released alluring notes of Armagnac in every bite, complemented by occasional crunches of pistachio and sweet apricot bites.

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Sea Trout 4.2/5

For mains, the Sea Trout was simple but delightful just as much. Served with finely shredded Brussels sprouts, the fish was fatty, tender, and had a beautifully seared, crispy skin. A savoury lemon chicken jus further elevated its naturally robust flavour.

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Coq Au Vin 4.2/5

The Coq Au Vin featured red wine-braised free-range chicken, served with chunky bacon, mushrooms, and gnocchi. The chicken had been braised overnight in a rich port and red wine concoction, resulting in a bold, intensely flavoured, beautiful reduction. A slight caramelisation on the chicken added another layer of complexity, while the mushrooms had thoroughly absorbed the richness of the sauce. The chunky bacon contributed smoky and savoury notes that rounded out the dish.

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Duo of Artisanal Cheeses

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Citron Pistache 4.5/5

For dessert, we selected the Duo of Artisanal Cheeses and Citron Pistache. I appreciated the inclusion of a cheese course — the cheeses were served with pickles, a raisin spread, and raisin toasts. Citron Pistache was perhaps the more exciting choice: a dome spiked with nutty Sicilian pistachio Chantilly and crunchy meringue, encasing a tangy lemon gel and ricotta gelato.

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Madeleines

As a thoughtful gesture from the team, we were also treated to a serving of truly delicious petite Madeleines at the end of the meal — possibly the best I've had thus far. Warm and fluffy, each bite felt like a smile to the belly, ending the dining experience on a wonderfully comforting note

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Maison Boulud
The Shoppes
Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Ave
B1-15 & #01-83
Singapore 018956
Tel: +65 6688 6088
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Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 10pm
Fri: 12pm - 1030pm
Sat: 1130am - 1030pm
Sun: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bayfront MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]